Arteta Urges Arsenal to Pile Pressure on Man City in Title Race

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)
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Arteta Urges Arsenal to Pile Pressure on Man City in Title Race

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta gives thumbs up during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg soccer match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 07 April 2026. (EPA)

Mikel Arteta challenged Arsenal to pile pressure on Manchester City by extending their lead at the top of the Premier League before their title rivals play 24 hours later.

Arteta's side host Bournemouth on Saturday and second-placed City travel to Chelsea on Sunday as the title race approaches a pivotal moment.

The Gunners are nine points ahead of City, having played a game more than Pep Guardiola's team.

That lead would increase to 12 points if Arsenal defeat Bournemouth, putting City under intense pressure to take maximum points from their tricky trip to Stamford Bridge.

Asked how important it would be to move further ahead of City, Arteta told reporters on Friday: "The closer we get, the relevance and importance of the match increases, obviously, and tomorrow is a big day for us.

"The players know it, our supporters know it, it's early kick-off, so get up early, have an early breakfast, bring your lunch, bring your dinner, as you say in England, and let's go all together for it because it has to be a big day."

After losing to City in the League Cup final and to second tier Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg on Tuesday.

The Gunners are chasing a first English title in 22 years, as well as their maiden Champions League crown.

And Arteta is convinced that they can finish the season with both trophies, which would finally end their six-year silverware drought since lifting the FA Cup.

"First of all, the capacity we have as a club and as a team, the will to win," Arteta said to explain his belief.

"We recognize the opportunity ahead and we are going to do our best to achieve it."

Arteta's Arsenal contract expires in 2027 and the Spaniard remains fully committed to the club after reports of talks over a new deal.

"There's no news on that. We have no time to discuss that now. The full focus is on what we have to do from here until the end of the season," he said.

"I am fully committed and really happy and I feel good. My family is good and I still have so much ambition to do with this football club, and for now we are in a good place.

"This job is about the present and what you do on the day. Give your very best and feel that you are the person that can lead and inspire the group to achieve great things for the club."



Brazil's World Cup Challenge Faces Morocco Test in Group C

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP
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Brazil's World Cup Challenge Faces Morocco Test in Group C

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will lead the Brazil attack at the World Cup © MIGUEL J RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO / AFP

Brazil's credentials to end a 24-year wait to be world champions will be tested from the off as 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and a Scotland side seeking a historic breakthrough pose threats to the Selecao.

After consistent failure when faced with stern European opposition in the knockout stages, Brazil have turned to the coach who has won more Champions Leagues than anyone else in Italian Carlo Ancelotti to deliver a sixth star on the famous yellow jersey.

Brazil's preparations have been dominated by the soap opera surrounding Neymar's inclusion in Ancelotti's squad.

The 34-year-old will feature at his fourth World Cup despite not having been capped in the past three years.

Yet with Neymar likely to play just a peripheral role on the field, the real key will be how Ancelotti gets the best out of an unbalanced squad.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker and centre-backs Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos provide a defensive base that is arguably the best in the tournament.

But there are clear deficiencies at full-back, central midfield and centre-forward compared to Brazil squads of old.

Ancelotti was parachuted in towards the end of an unconvincing qualifying campaign, during which Brazil lost six of 18 matches.

Friendly defeats to Japan and France since the former Real Madrid coach took charge have done little to inspire confidence.

Yet the five-time Champions League winner has a proven track record when it comes to knockout football.

Ancelotti also got the best out of Vinicius Junior during their time together in Madrid.

Given the opportunity to step out of the shadow of club team-mate Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius is the one world-class attacking talent that could carry his country to glory.

- Morocco change coach -

However, defeat in their opening game to African powerhouses Morocco would set alarm bells ringing for Ancelotti's men.

Led by Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions stunned Spain and Portugal on their route to the last four in Qatar.

They beat Brazil for the first time in their history shortly afterwards in 2023, AFP reported.

But the Moroccans' momentum was halted in a chaotic end to the African Cup of Nations on home soil earlier this year.

Senegal walked off after the hosts were awarded a stoppage time penalty.

On returning to the field, Brahim Diaz fluffed his spot-kick and Senegal went on to win 1-0 after extra-time.

Morocco were later controversially crowned champions by the Confederation of African Football, but the repercussions of defeat were still felt.

Walid Regragui, who led his country to becoming the first African semi-finalists at a World Cup, departed as coach in March to be replaced by Mohamed Ouahbi.

Scotland will aim to play the role of spoilers in their return to the world stage for the first time in 28 years.

Steve Clarke's side boast Champions League, Europa League and Serie A winners in Andy Robertson, John McGinn and Scott McTominay respectively and will be targeting progress beyond the group stage for the first time.

An opener against Haiti gives the Scots the perfect chance of a flying start.


Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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Messi Suffers Muscle Strain, Return Date Undetermined

Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi walks on the field during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring when he requested a sub Sunday during a 6-4 win over the visiting Philadelphia Union, the club said Monday.

"After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring," Reuters quoted Inter Miami as saying in a statement. "The timeline for his return to physical activity ⁠will depend on ⁠his clinical and functional progress."

Messi was seen grabbing at his upper thigh before he asked to sub out in the 73rd minute, and he headed directly to the locker room.

Messi's ailment ⁠comes about one week before Argentina begins to prepare for its World Cup title defense at a training camp in Kansas City, Kan.

It's unclear whether Messi will have to miss any time due to the overload. The Major League Soccer season has now begun its World Cup break, and Messi, 38, may return to ⁠training ⁠with Argentina or may need to rest further before matches begin.

Argentina plays Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City, Mo. for their first group- stage match. Messi and company will also face Austria and Jordan as part of Group J.

Messi helped Argentina win its first World Cup since 1986 and its third overall four years ago in Qatar. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament's top player.


Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell

France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
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Monfils Aims to Emulate Ronaldo, LeBron after Roland Garros Farewell

France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)
France's Gael Monfils (L) poses with a trophy next to French Tennis Federation's President Gilles Moretton (R) during a ceremony honoring his career on day 2 of the French Open tennis tournament on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Complex in Paris on May 25, 2026. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP)

Gael Monfils is determined to emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James by playing into his 40s and hopes to play at Wimbledon, Montreal and the US Open before bringing down the curtain on his career on home soil at the Paris Masters.

The Frenchman, who turns 40 in September, bade a fond farewell to Roland Garros after going down 6-2 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-0 to compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round on Monday, walking off to a standing ovation that celebrated a career that spanned two decades.

Monfils will retire at the end ⁠of the season ⁠as he seeks to manage his body into his 40s.

"Why do I want to get to the States? Because I want to play until 40. My wish is to be an athlete that plays until 40 years old," Reuters quoted Monfils as saying.

"Like Stan (Wawrinka), LeBron, Cristiano, (Patrice) Evra, like all of the athletes ⁠who have managed to continue their sport until the age of 40.

"That's what I want to do. You know that whatever happens this summer, I'm locked in to train."

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 25, 2026 France's Gael Monfils poses with former tennis players Gilles Simon, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet after receiving an award from Roland Garros. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

The former world number six, who has enjoyed some of his best results on clay, acknowledged that the surface has become more challenging in recent years.

While he hopes to secure a wildcard for the US Open, he also plans to play Wimbledon and Montreal.

"Hopefully Wimbledon. Then need to decide if we go to ⁠Washington or ⁠not," he said.

"I think we will ask Montreal, hopefully. I want to say goodbye to Montreal. Obviously I will ask the French Federation to have the US Open wildcard. Hopefully I will have this one.

"Asia is a bit blurry, to be honest. Then the end of the year, I can tell you I will play Lyon, the new tournament. Nicolas (his agent) wants me to play Vienna, and then hopefully, Paris."

The 13-time ATP title winner reached the French Open semi-finals in 2008 and was a key part of France's Davis Cup runs in 2010 and 2014.